Smart Living
Get practical advice and inspiration on organizing, home décor, lifestyle and personal finance for everyday living.
Need Help Storing Your Books? Check Out These 10 Creative Book Storage Ideas
Book lovers might have different preferences in terms of literary genres and authors, but most of them deal with an all-too-common problem: where to put all those books? Storage space is an issue in most homes, and adding heaps of books on top of all your other belongings will certainly make things more challenging.
10 Creative DIY Planters To Revamp Your Urban Garden On A Budget
Gardening is one of summer’s greatest joys — what can be more relaxing than starting your day in your backyard or on your patio, admiring and caring for your beautiful flowers, herbs or veggies? If you’re like most gardening enthusiasts, you’re always in need of one more planter for the seedlings you just acquired. Why not give some unique and eye-catching containers the DIY touch, not only providing a home for your beloved plants but also injecting a touch of personality and charm into your garden or patio? On top of that, you’ll have the opportunity to upcycle and reuse a variety of items — which is great for the environment and for your wallet as well.
Tiny Living Is Going Mainstream In San Antonio, TX — Here’s How To Make It Work For You
San Antonio’s housing market has its challenges, typical for an urban center its size: The lack of affordable starter homes makes it difficult for many residents to contemplate becoming homeowners. A brand-new initiative from construction company Lennar might change that, at least for some of the people living in San Antonio. The company is developing a new housing complex at Elm Trails, centered around low footprint, affordable homes. The detached homes, located in an area with plenty of open space and beautiful natural surroundings, come in (very) small sizes: 350 square feet or 660 square feet. The prices are, obviously, significantly lower compared to more traditional housing options, starting at around $130K.
11 Movies And TV Shows Filmed In Chicago To Help You Get To Know The Windy City
Moving is never a breezy project, but learning a little more about your relocation destination can help ease those moving jitters. If you’re considering moving to Chicago, there are a lot of good things waiting for you. It’s one of the biggest cities in the country, with plenty of job opportunities and all the perks of a big city. Moving from another big city might spell good news for you cost wise – if you’re moving here from LA, you might discover that Chicago has a lower cost of living than the City of Angels. This makes moving here definitely attractive. However, make sure to thoroughly plan your move and to include self storage, too – to help you better manage your belongings until you settle into your new home. Send them ahead of your relocation so moving day can run smoothly. For reference, renting a Chicago storage unit costs around $125/month.
Remodeling Your Big Apple Crib? Check Out These Amazing NYC Interior Designers Who Can Help You Get The Job Done!
New York City is renowned for its vibrant energy, diverse culture and iconic landmarks. Obviously, the city’s interior design scene is equally impressive: From cozy apartments in the West Village to luxurious penthouses overlooking Central Park, NYC’s interior designers are responsible for creating some of the most stunning and unique living spaces in the world.
Owning vs. Renting: Ranking the Top 100 U.S. Cities by Homeowner and Renter Prevalence
Renters vs. owners, when it comes to housing, is a complex debate. Renting a home and owning one both have advantages and disadvantages that depend on personal circumstances, financial situation and lifestyle. Homeownership builds equity, but it often implies a long-term financial commitment, and ties you down to a location. Renting is also costly, but it allows for more flexibility, which can be an advantage for younger generations who need to move more frequently for work or other reasons.
Self Storage In Birmingham, AL: The Many Ways The Service Can Support The City
Birmingham, AL, is known as the birthplace of the Veterans Day celebration and a place with a low cost of living, incredible natural landscape and so much more. If you’re moving here, there is a lot to consider, from finding housing and a job to getting to know the city. However, an aspect that might fly under the radar when making the transition to Birmingham living is what to do with your belongings until you get settled into your new home. As it happens, self storage is a great service that can help make that transition easier. You can move your household items and more in a storage unit until you move to make moving day more manageable. Renting a self storage unit in Birmingham, AL, costs $96/month.
The Best Local Resources For An Enviable Backyard In San Antonio, TX
Americans are more and more interested in revamping their outdoor spaces, and for very good reasons. Making sure that your backyard is more than some boring lawn and a couple of lawn chairs will stimulate you to spend more time outdoors, relaxing and having fun with your entire family. On top of that, it could even save you time and money in the long run. You’re less likely to go out for dinner if you have a nice outdoor cooking and dining area at home, and you can skip a gym membership if you have a sports-focused corner in your backyard.
Family-Friendly Cities That Shine in Recreational Options
Parents intuitively know it, and scientific research also backs it up: Where we live closely influences how we live. It comes as no surprise, then, that American parents tend to look at a wide range of factors before they choose a place to settle in and start a family. From home prices and neighborhood safety to the proximity of reputable schools and popular recreation opportunities, there is certainly a lot to consider. Naturally, affordability and infrastructure score the highest on the priority list for parents, but recreation deserves its own place, too.
Garage Storage Ideas That Will Give Your Car Its Home Back
A long, long time ago, the garage was the home of the car. Sure, you’d keep your tools and maybe an extra fridge in there, but the car was the main tenant. Today, many cars have never seen the inside of their garages. Their owners relinquish them to the curb to make the morning commute quicker, and the garage is full of… stuff.
Interested In A Minimalist Home? Here’s How To Apply Its Principles To Every Room Of Your Home
Minimalism is a popular lifestyle and design trend, one that encompasses choices meant to help you lead a simpler life, with fewer possessions to worry about. The advantages of minimalism are both logistical and financial: people are spending less money on belongings, which makes it easier for them to maintain a neat and tidy home (even if we’re talking about small homes). Also, life events like moving, downsizing or even traveling are a lot easier for people who adopt a minimalist philosophy.
How To Make Your Urban Pad Cozier With Country-Chic Décor: A Room-By-Room Guide
If there’s one thing we all try to create at home, it’s that feeling of warmth and familiarity. Cozy is something beyond just comfort. While there are design philosophies out there that pursue comfort above anything else, there’s a certain unpretentiousness about styles like country-chic that proves very charming and indeed cozy!